Jude Feeny

Jude Feeny is the main protagonist in Across the Universe.

History
Jude's father Wes Huber was an American soldier stationed at Burtonwood, England. It was there that he met Martha Feeny, Jude's mother. By the time he left, Martha was pregnant with Jude.

Many years later, Jude, now 18, decides to leave Liverpool, his mother and his girlfriend for Princeton University, where his father supposedly works. When he arrives he meets his father, a janitor, he requests that Jude not get involved in his life because it may damage his family, a wife and two kids.

Jude bunks down in his office for the next few days. One night, while smoking, he observes Maxwell Carrigan and his friends running away from a man whose window they just smashed playing golf on a roof. Jude guides Max to Wes's office and lets him hide there for the time being. After that, they form a lifelong friendship.

On Thanksgiving, Maxwell invites Jude to join him and his family for dinner at home. During dinner, Maxwell tells his family that he is dropping out of college and moving to New York City. Meanwhile, Jude falls for Maxwell's sister Lucy, a high school senior, but leaves soon after with Maxwell to go New York City.